Rotten fruit used in fresh juice in UAE

Al Ain, UAE: Food inspectors have seized rotten fruit and other edibles from the fruit and vegetable market, saying that they were being sold to juice shops to make cocktail juices.

The confiscated fruit has been destroyed and legal action is being taken against the people found involved in selling it, according to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).

The ADFCA inspectors were monitoring the shops on receiving reports of their involvement in dealing with fruit unfit for human consumption rather than destroying it. It was being sold at cheaper prices to lure cafeterias and juice shops in the city, said the authority.

The ADFCA formed an undercover team that contacted the fruit shops and showed interest in buying the rotten and damaged fruit. The fruit sellers fell in the trap and were nabbed in the process while trying to sell the fruit to them. The authority also inspected other shops in the vicinity and confiscated a huge amount of foodstuff unfit for human consumption, including improperly stored eggs, contaminated honey, margarine and other liquid foodstuff.

Ahmad Al Ka’abi, head of field operations at ADFCA’s Al Ain branch, said an inspection campaign had been launched to check all the food establishments, cafeterias, and fresh juice sellers outlets to ensure food safety and detect any foul play.

The team will also conduct a general survey of consumers in the market to check what they feel about food storage and sale at shops. Their suggestions will also be collected for more effective action against people playing with public health.